Equality Now holds Make Equality Reality Event in Los Angeles

Production of Nov. 4 fundraising event underwritten by the InMaat Foundation and Sponsored by GUCCI and Skype

Advancing legal and systemic change to make equalitya reality for every woman and every girl, everywhere.

On 4 November 2013, Equality Now held its first Make Equality Reality event at the Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. Chaired by activist, writer and Board Member Gloria Steinem, the event was hosted by comedian and actor Paul Reiser and honored writer, director, activist and Advisory Board Member, Joss Whedon, for his work on gender equality. “Equality Now works to create legal equality for women and girls – this goes hand in hand with Joss' work to promote social equality,” stated Global Director Yasmeen Hassan.

Equality Now surpassed its fundraising goal as 300 guests enjoyed and intimate and inspiring evening that opened with Paul Reiser’s humorous take on why he is drawn to Equality Now. The evening featured an address from Gloria Steinem on the state of the world for women and girls and highlighted the role of Equality Now in facilitating and spearheading the women’s rights movement globally.

Whenever You’re Ready – an Equality Now video illustrating how vital legal advocacy is to protecting and promoting the rights of women and girls - premiered at the event, featuring brilliant images from VII photographers. Global Director, Yasmeen Hassan, underscored the importance of gender equal laws as the basis for equal treatment of women and the need to recognize and support transformative change within communities. Joss Whedon’s When I Speak, based on three cases from Equality Now’s Adolescent Girls’ Legal Defense Fund, was masterfully performed by teen actors Chandler Kinney, Laura Marano and Sydney Park. Co-Founder and Honorary President, Jessica Neuwirth, gave a moving speech on Equality Now’s origins at a time when the human rights movement did not encompass women’s rights.

InMaat Foundation was recognized for its dedication to the cause and its commitment to creating a world in balance; GUCCI for bolstering the global movement for gender equality through its Chime for Change campaign; and Skype, for enabling women’s rights activists around the globe to connect and create a unified movement.

Honoree Joss Whedon was humorously introduced by his longtime friend and collaborator, actor Alyson Hannigan, and spoke on his feelings about the word 'feminist.' Actor and activist, Jada Pinkett Smith, inspired the audience to join their voices to the movement and to support the work of Equality Now. The evening was rounded out by a live musical performance by two-time Grammy winning singer songwriter Colbie Caillat that brought the audience to its feet to dance and sing along.

The dinner was chaired by Nina Kotick, Advisory Board Members Paula Reiser and Erin Stein, and Board Co-Chair, Sue Smalley, and guests included Board and Committee members, celebrities, sponsors, philanthropists and friends of Equality Now.